Home Assignment Newsletter

Hey everybody!

We've been back in the US for a couple months now and had a little time to figure things out again, so here is our latest update.  We are now at a home we will use for the rest of our time in the US before we return to Nigeria and traveling about the state and the country sharing about what God is doing in Nigeria.

You can check out our latest newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/1lBkz

We'd love to see as many of you as possible! Let us know if you are coming to the Grand Haven area, or perhaps we will be able to catch you on our next loop through your neck of the woods! (Our upcoming schedule is listed in the newsletter)

To God be the glory!

Shephard Family Home Assignment FAQs

What is Home Assignment?

Home assignment is the time when missionaries are required to come back to their passport countries to report to their supporters and churches, raise support for the next term, and reconnect with friends and family they have not seen in several years. 

Home assignment has been known as deputation or furlough in the past.  These terms have been largely abandoned, probably to acknowledge that home assignment is more than just fund raising and is not equivalent to vacation.

When are you coming back to the US?

We will be returning to Michigan on the 29^th of May. 

How long will you be in the States?

We will be on home assignment for one year, then anticipate returning to Jos.

Is this a vacation?

No, it is not a vacation, as we still have tons to do. But it is a change of pace for us and an opportunity to step out of the constant stresses of living in a culture that is not your own plus that of living in a semi-volatile environment.  By being in our “home” environment it is hoped that even while we are working, we will feel less stress than life in a foreign land and be able to reenergize for our return to Africa. 

What will you be doing?

As missionaries, home assignment is a time of reporting on the past term to our supporting churches and families, raising support for the next term, speaking to groups and churches to help people engage in the global Kingdom, and recruiting more people to come work in the exciting field of missions!

In addition, since Steven is a missionary doctor he also has things that need to be done to maintain his credentials and education.  For the next year he will be working in a hospital so he can stay grounded in American-style medicine.  He also will need to attend several conferences to attain necessary continuing medical education credits and further his training.

On a more personal level, we will be taking advantage of being in the same country as families and friends we have not seen in the past three years, enjoying opportunities to spend time together. We will also be trying to catch our breath after a very busy term in Jos.

What about the kids’ schooling?

The boys will attend school in Michigan for the 2014-2015 school year.  Their school in Jos uses an American curriculum, which will allow them to shift to the US for one year then back to Jos without missing a step.

Should we keep sending support to SIM for you while you are in the US?

Please do!  It is easy to think that since we are not in Africa, we no longer need support, but our time in the US is to allow us to continue and improve our ministry efforts in Jos.  If our support stops while we are in the US, we have to rebuild it again before we can return to Nigeria.

Do you need things for home assignment?  What do you need?

When we moved in 2011 we sold most of what we had, and took most of the remainder with us to Africa.  So for the year we are back in the US, we don’t yet have what we need to address daily life. 

Immediate needs we recognize are for furniture (chairs/sofa, beds for kids, lights, etc), pots and pans and other kitchen implements, school things for the kids (bags, pencils, etc), bedding, towels, … basically everything that makes a house livable!

If you are looking for what you can do but aren’t sure, we could definitely use gift cards so we can buy what we are missing. Gift cards to Target would be particularly helpful.

Can we see you?

We would love to see you!  We are thankful that our home assignment is long enough that we should be able to visit most areas where we have supporters at least once, if not several times.

When are you coming to my area?

We do not yet have a complete schedule for where we will be and when, but we will make known publicly where we will be and hope we can connect with as many of you as possible!

Where will you live?

The job Steven has lined up is in Grand Haven, MI, so this will be our home base for the next year.  From this base we will be making trips in many directions to visit churches and supporters around Michigan and the US.  

What about your support level?

We thank God that for the major portion of our term, we were consistently near 100% supported!  Unfortunately, for various reasons our support is now well under and needs to be raised back to 100% for us to return to Nigeria. 

If you are presently supporting this ministry financially, we will be asking you to consider continuing your commitment for the next term.  If you are not yet, now is a great time to start!  We will be meeting with many to recruit new partners. 

Would you consider hosting an event at your house so we could share with others who may be interested in investing in this Kingdom work?  That would be wonderful!  Let us know! 

You can support us and the ministry in Nigeria by clicking here. Thanks!!